Greetings, FEWnet friends!

The FEWnet annual party is just a month away and I can’t believe how much ground has been covered in the past year! Although we remain in a time of great uncertainty, there are some things that remain incredibly clear: personal and professional opportunities are around every corner as long as we remain optimistic and clear in our goals and surround ourselves with people that are committed to seeing us succeed.

One way that you can do that is by getting to know other members of our FEWnet community. This year’s annual event on Thursday, June 4, will provide great exposure to 200+ women in senior level finance and accounting roles. Sally Smith of Buffalo Wild Wings will be speaking about her own CPA to CEO story and I join you in looking forward to learning from her journey. Register today

We will also introduce you to a woman that has been adding a lot of value and insight to our FEWnet small groups this spring, Dr. Cheryl Leitschuh. Cheryl is a very motivating organizational and personal career coach and we can tell you from experience that she is a great shot in the arm for reenergizing ourselves around where we want to be next. If you want a sneak peek at Cheryl, then read her guest column below entitled, “Leading in Uncertain Times” or visit her online. I’ve signed up for her daily motivational emails and I encourage you to do so too. They really help me start each day on a positive note!  

Take care and I look forward to seeing you in June,

Sally Mainquist, CPA

FEWnet Founder

President and CEO, Certes Financial Pros

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Diana Purcel is the CFO of Famous Dave's of America, Inc., a publicly traded company with approximately 175 restaurants in 37 states. In her current role, she oversees accounting and tax, finance, internal audit, information systems, legal, purchasing, and investor relations. A graduate of Robbinsdale Armstrong Senior High School, Diana went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana – a perfect training ground for her current role of ensuring the fiscal health of a decorated organization with a national reputation for delivering award-winning bar-b-que.

Diana came to Famous Dave’s in 2003 after serving as the VP and CFO of Paper Warehouse, Inc. Setting her CPA roots down with Arthur Andersen out of college, she has also held finance and accounting positions with Provell, Inc. (formerly Damark International, Inc.) and Target Corporation (formerly Dayton Hudson Corporation). A long-time FEWnet member, we were excited to learn that she is also a Twilight super fan and a published poet!

More about Diana Purcel

Discover what our FEWnet small groups are talking about this month:

• How to develop skill sets in a stable and long-term accounting department
• 5 steps to working through these difficult times
• Employee morale builders

How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership by Marilyn Carlson Nelson

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

Women’s Murder Club Series by James Patterson

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

What happened? Almost overnight we have moved from a growing economy to uncertainty in direction and solutions. We can evaluate the what, why, and how but it leaves us needing to lead and navigate in uncharted waters. There are five key steps that leaders need to take to move through this challenging time.

Read more from "Leading in Uncertain Times"

FEWnet Annual Party
Join 200+ women in senior level finance and accounting positions from around the Twin Cities for this year's annual FEWnet event on Thursday, June 4, 2009!

Sally Smith, CEO and President of Buffalo Wild Wings, will lead an exciting keynote conversation about the path she has taken from public accounting to CEO and the challenges she faces in the year ahead. Enjoy great food and wine in the company of old friends and new contacts!

HOST: Certes Financial Pros
WHEN: Thursday, June 4
TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park
REGISTER: Email Melissa at mmlakar@certespros.com

Two more announcements

Jessica Garbarino has joined The Seabury Group as Assistant Controller. All the best in your new role, Jessica!

Natalie (Leiran) Christenson, Senior Finance Manager at Medtronic, was united in marriage to Eric Christenson on January 9 in Aruba. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Julie Zierden is now an Accountant for the USDA, APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services) in their Financial Management Division. Best wishes from FEWnet!

Christi Kann Youngberg, Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, welcomed her new baby girl, Adeline Maria, into the world on February 12. Congratulations, Christi!

Certes Financial Pros specializes in providing senior level financial professionals to Twin Cities' companies needing contract, contract to perm, and permanent staffing support. As an award-winning "Best Employer," Certes is here to help you find work/life balance or that next dream job with one of our outstanding clients. Begin exploring opportunities today!

Do you have an immediate staffing need? Check out our current Contract and Permanent Placement available lists and give us a call.

Long-Term Contractors Available

Perm Placement Candidates for Hire